Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-10-22
THE LINE FENCE

the kitchen porch with jerk. The stout,
pleasant-faced woman to whom he spoke
paused in the doorway with her bare arms
twisted into her calico apron and regarded
the offenders mildly.
They were struggling through one Of the
gaps in the broken-down fence which sop
Irated Mr.. Longs garden from that of his
neighbor, Alvin Talcott-a procession of
nine, Checking in a grooming way and step
ping high. They came on with composed
deliberation, pausing among the cucumbers
with a contemplative air, skirting the rad
ishes after dissatisfied survey, and set
Ting down at last among the tomatoes
with chorus of victorious clucks.
" 1t amt going to do" said Mr.. Long,
uiping disturbed face with his old red
silk handkerchief. al amt going to
stand IT."
81 1t amt likely he's thought of it," said
his wife, TRANQUILITY.
" He can't think of nothing but that
pesky croquet business" reioined Mr..
Long, Jerking his head towards his
neighbor's yard, from which the sound of
voices and the clink of mallets proceeded
Oh, laws, Elias p Mrs. Long began, in
easy remonstrance but her husband had
seized an old lin dipper from the porch
shelf, and was making for the tomatC-p patch
as fast as his 60 years would permit. There
was wild cackling and scattering as he
threw his dlpper into the midst of the
scratching flock, pushed them unrelent-
ingly to the farthest possible point, and
leaned exhaustedly against the sunken
gate of the dilapidated fence. 1t was
sunken with the weight of the many
friendly chats held across it since the long
ago period of its ere ,tion; chats held at
all times of day and upon all subjects
politics, mowing-machines fertilizers, sew
ing societies, croquet patterns, raised cake
recipes, etc.
Mr.. Talcotts croquet-ground was before
nm. Mr.. Talcott himself stood near, lean
ing the weight of his small and wiry per-
son on his mallet; his hat over one ear,
his cheerful, round face shining with ca
gerness, his whole attitude expressive of
Watchful and profound absorption.
Mr.. Long surveyed the scene with dis
pleasure. He had, originally, strongly
disapproVed of Mr.. Talcott's croquet-
ground. He had not been sure that GRO
quet was not on level with keerds" and
gambling and that a deacon of the church
and a member Of the Town Council should
oountenance and encourage such iniquity
WIS a subject for grave reflection.
From this-after frequent glimpses at,
and occasional considerations of the game,
over the fence-he had softened to the
opinion that it WAS a waste Of time and a
pack Of foolishness; falling gradually into
the habit despite his convictions, Of OBJ
serving it egularly-graduatin from the
fence 70 Mr.. Talcotts doorstep, and thus
acquiring tolerable knowledge of its
baleful methods. He had even been known
to manifest an interest in the game, to ten
der advice in a crisis, to give his opinion
on disputed point, TO join in applause of
a good strike.
But lie had always considered that his
presence was something Of a reproof and
restraint. Just now, as he stood frowning
down the long bewicketed ground, nothing
could have convinced him that he had
ever retreated in the least from his primal
attitude of rigorous disapproval.
Mr. Long shifted his position nearer.
You'll have to keep them hens of
yourn to home" he said. They're spoil
ing my garden Jest about as fast as they
can manage it,
Mr.. Tscotfs smiling face hardened. 1t
was not the first time his neighbor had
mentioned the hens; though never hith-
erto with so much decision.
don't really know as it's any of nv
concern" he said; "you can't Jest expect
for me TO be chasing hens everlastingly"
81 don't know bnt what you better be
chasing hens than wasting time over this
here" responded his neighbor, surveying
the crcquet-ground with sternness in his
long-featured face.
Mr. Talcot's small, bright eyes snapped.
You amt no call, rs know of, to give
no opinion whatsoever" he retorted.
Mr.. Long turned his eyes upon his irate
countenance. He was slower to anger
than his neighbor About them hens"
he said, | ruther guess this line fence
better be fixed up; needs it. They
couldn't get in then unless they should 90
round by the orchard, and that amt likely.
1 h'ain't been calculating to lay out
anything on fences jest at present" said
Ar. Talcott, bracing himself on his short
legs defantly.
Mr.. Longs thin face grew grim. You
fence" said he, as he turned stitfiy away.
Mrs. Talcott had come out of the house
with 4 little bowl in her hands; thin
woman, with pleasing remains of sandy
haired prettiness.
q want you to take in some of my rising
20 Hannah" she said. They had known
each other by their first names for some
fifty years
When Mrs.. Long opened the kitchen
door at o'clock the next morning. and
stood looking out at the early August day
i'll the moment before the fried pork had
sizzled itself quite brown, and tie coffee
came to boil--her faculties concentrated
themselves upon an unexpected circum-
stance Just beneath her eyes.
Elias" she said, he's tearing down
the line fence He's got job Dwyer help
ing him" She was devoid of suspicious
concerning the fact; her voice was merely
inquiring.
Mr.. Long had tipped back against the
wall studying the city paper to which he
subscribed. He brought the front legs of
his chair to the floor at his wife's an
nouncement, and came to the door rather
slowly He stood there rubbing his chin
doubtfully; and then went down the
steps, ard towards his neighbours yard
Some inner consciousness prompted him
to make careless and indirect approach
to stop and inspect the garden and stop
to tighten the empty clothes-line, and to
bring up at the fence in an accidental and
unprecedented way.
Mr. Talcott was working energetically.
A pile of worm-eaten pos.s, pulled up by
the roots, and broken pickets, lay before
him. A little further down Job Dryer
was amassing similar heap.
II thought likely you'd think better of
it." Mr.. Long observed, with his eyes fixed
warily on the other This fence has been
wanting fixing for quite spell. don't